The Culture Ministry said the move was about regulating online music-sharing sites and that it culled songs that lacked authorization or registration, including some by popular Chinese singers such as Jay Chou, S.H.E and Jolin Chai, the Xinhua news agency reported.

The ministry plans to set a standard market for online music sharing by the end of February.

The crackdown also enforces strict censorship rules. Imported music must be passed by the Culture Ministry while local fare needs government authorization.